All About Wool : Fabric Dictionary and Swatchbook (Fabric Reference Ser.; Vol. 3)

The third volume in Julie Parker's Fabric Reference Series explains the different fabrics made from wool and similar fibers, using plain English instead of confusing technical jargon. A detailed description of each fabric is illustrated with a real cloth sample, right there on the same page, which clarifies in the simplest way what a boiled wool, crpe, gabardine or whipcord actually looks and feels like.

A comprehensive introduction covers characteristics of the fiber, history of wool, breeds of sheep and other wool-bearing animals (such as camels and goats), types of wool, the main sources of wool, the wool textile industry, industry trends and how to judge quality. The introduction is followed by two-page descriptions of the main fabric types, each illustrated with a 2-1/2" x 4" cloth sample and simple black-and-white drawings. In the back of the book, space is provided for the reader to collect additional samples and record personal notes, followed by a list of mail-order sources, glossary, bibliography and index.

The fabric samples are packaged separately, layered in the same order as they appear in the book. It takes only a few minutes to mount the samples to the book's pages, using double-stick tape or a small spot of glue. Instructions are included. Samples include 30 wool fabrics and 5 specialty hair fibers, in this order: blanket cloth, boiled wool, boucl, cavalry twill, challis, coating, crpe, Donegal tweed, double cloth, double knit, felt, flannel (woolen), flannel (worsted), gabardine, glen plaid, Harris tweed, herringbone, homespun, houndstooth, jacquard, jersey, loden cloth, melton, menswear suiting, novelty suiting, plaid, satin, tropical suiting, tweed, whipcord, alpaca, angora rabbit, camel's hair, cashmere and mohair.

All About Wool is packed with information about the different weaves, yarns and finishes used to make wool fabrics. Terms such as woolen, worsted, merino wool, superfine wool and lamb's wool are clearly explained. A must for anyone who works with or wears wool!

The Fabric Reference Series has been featured in Crafter's Choice, a division of Book-of-the-Month Club. Other books in the series include All About Silk, with 32 silk samples, and All About Cotton, with 42 cotton samples.